Teenagers of America

First off, I would like to apologize to anyone that I may have offended during my teen years, because like the teens of today they have no clue how annoying they really are.

I want to start off on the issue of haircuts these days, or should I say lack there of. Apparently it is really "cool" to just let your hair grow out, not brush it and just plop on a retarded DC shoes hat or do the constant Emo hair flip out of your eyes. (Side note: for the little league baseball players out there. If you have long hair, before you put your hat on push the hair off of your forehead then put your hat on. Do not just sit the cap on your head with all of your hair still in your face). Have you ever tried to talk to someone that sits there and keeps flicking their neck about to get the hair out their face as you are trying to talk to them. I know pretty annoying, right.

Or this new phenomena that is replacing the guido blowout which is the fo-hawk. Apparently the guidos have found something else to do with their hair that makes them look absolutely ridiculous. Or the ghetto version of the fo-hawk made famous by Diddy when he was training for the marathon and brought to national attention during the Ray-Phillies world series.

Whatever happened to the oldie but goodie fade or the slick back or the part, I don't have any problem with the looks of today if you can pull them off, but for the most part a lot of you can't. It seems like kids just want to do stuff just to be different and for no other reason what so ever.

This leads me to the extremely tight t-shirt and skinny jeans argument. I don't know who started this trend but it really needs to stop. I am not interested to see what kind of boxers you have on or what your belly button looks like or what kind of studded belt you are wearing. I don't know if some people know this but t-shirts do come in other sizes besides a kids small. So please fit yourself accordingly.

The same goes for "skinny" jeans. Guys honestly, you want to be out on the streets rocking jeans that your sister could fit into or probably wears herself. This is ridiculous. I was unaware that this is also considered to be the norm for the youth of America. Apparently wearing jeans that force you to walk like a duck are what's hot on the streets right now. Well let's cool it down on the streets. Just because Lil Wayne rocks them doesn't mean that every kid who likes his music should go out there and make a fool of himself.

Car Code of Conduct

Some of the people out there that have licenses must have slept with the guy at the DMV or paid someone off because they do not deserve to be on the road. I understand how hard it is for someone to flick that little handle underneath the steering wheel to signal a change in lanes. But can we show show a little more respect for our fellow drivers and let others know when we are just going to come shooting into my lane.

If you have a fast car, USE IT!!!. I don't understand how some of these people with BMWs, Mercedes, Lexuses, etc just cruise along in the left lane and bog down traffic. If you pay all that money for a car, show it off and stop pissing me off by going slow.

I know there is a law against using your cell phone for calls, but someone needs to stop the driving and texting. I know the new craze in the world is text messaging, but its pretty difficult to follow the rules of the road while you are OMGing and C U L8tering to your other retarded friends.

This brings me to another point. Guys, if you are going car shopping stay away from the Jettas and Eclipses of the world. Because when other guys see these cars on the road we are expecting a hot chick to be behind the wheel not some douche blasting house music or Dave Matthews.

Men's Restroom Etiquette

Another place that some people like to forget about the well being of others is in the restroom. When you are in the comfort of your own home you can do whatever you want in there. But when other people are involved some common courtesy can go a long way. When using the urinals always give at least a one urinal buffer zone between you and the next guy because some people do not want others right next to them when trying to do their business. Second, do not carry on a conversation with someone while they are in front of or using the urinal as some people need to concentrate on the job at hand. Third, sneaking peeks is strictly forbidden. There is also the aspect of how far people like to stand form the urinal in order not to get the splash back. Anything more than a foot to a foot and a half is acceptable. When you stand further than that you are just trying to put on a show for the others. Also, the hands on the hips approach is a big no-no. No one wants to see you all out there. Last but not least no noises should be coming out of your mouth while you are going because that is just creepy and unnecessary.



Just a quick tidbit on using the stalls. Again no noises should be heard from you while you are in there. This is the most important rule of all, can we please use the courtesy flush. Again, when alone do as you please, but when it effects others just think for a second

Joel Sherman

While I usually enjoy reading his columns in the New York Post sports section, I just could not understand why he was writing this particular column. Joel felt the need to talk about why the Mets need to go after CC Sabathia when he becomes a free agent in the winter. NO KIDDING JOEL! Every team that can afford his lofty contract demands should go after CC this winter because he the best pitcher on the market. He is an innings horse, and completely dominates teams. Outside of a few teams in the major leagues he is automatically the best pitcher in the entire organization on any team that signs him.

Sherman's reasons were because of his obvious talent, and his bulldog mentality that will help a bad clubhouse in Flushing, Queens. Also the way that he carried the Brewers into the playoffs would be exactly what the Mets need to get over the late season collapses that they have experienced the last 2 to 3 seasons depending on if you judge 2006 a collapse to a Cardinals team that went on to win the World Series.

Once again, NO KIDDING JOEL!!! Every team can use a number one ace that will carry them into the playoffs and help them to the next step. It seems that Sherman did not have much to write about that day because he obviously was just writing the article for the sake of putting his name in the paper with his photo next to it. I don't know why sportswriters feel the need to write about things that don't need to be said. It is pretty apparent that any team would need to have CC Sabathia on their team, you do not need to defend your answer with reasons that are obvious, even to the most novice sports fan.

P.S Joel - the Mets are not going to land CC, they don't have the money to get him and fill the other holes that they have in their aging lineup and brutal bullpen. Take that money and spend it on a corner outfielder under the age of 30 and some much needed end of the game bullpen help.

MLB Playoff Preview and Predictions

ALDS

Red Sox vs. Angels

With the Red Sox playoff ace, Josh Beckett, hurting a little bit I feel that in this 5 game series the the Angels hold a stark advantage when it come to starting pitching. Despite Dice-K's great record, he experienced some control problems this year which could cause some problems against the Angels lineup. While I feel the Red So are starting to get some of that aura and mystique that the Yankee World Series teams of the late 90's used to have, I just don't think they will pull this one out. With Lowell and JD Drew hurting the lineup and defense will suffer. The departure of Manny Rammirez from the middle of the order will have an impact come crunch time for the Sox. Despite what all the players say they are going to miss Manny's playoff bat in their lineup. Angels pull this one out on the back of Teixeira, Guerrero, and the pitching staff.

Angels 3-2


Rays vs. White Sox

Led by the perfect combination of speed, power, and defense this young Rays team will continue to surprise teams in the 2008 playoffs. This fearless group of young kids and experienced veterans will lead this team past the White Sox right to the ALCS. The White Sox will miss the bat of Carlos Quentin in the middle of that order, even though the ageless Jim Thome continues to crush the ball as he carried his team into the playoffs along with a fantastic start from lefty John Danks. The Rays bullpen is much improved and is one of the strengths of this team. Joe Maddon has done an excellent job mix and matching the bullpen in oft injured closer Troy Percival's numerous absences. The Rays continue their run.

Rays 3-1

MLB Playoff Preview and Predictions

NLDS

Brewers vs. Phillies

With recent news that one of the Phillies middle of the order bats, Pat Burrell, is hurting with back pain this hinders the potent lefty lineup of the Philly offense especially against Brewer lefthanded ace CC Sabathia. I think the Brewers steal game one against Philly ace Cole Hamels despite the fact that the Brewers were swept in Philadelphia the last time they played there and will most likely be without Ben Sheets. I think NL MVP candidate and frontrunner, Ryan Braun, will lead the potent Brewers offense against the young lefty ace Hamels in game 1. With Sabathia likely to pitch game 2 and game 5 on short rest I can see the Brewers stealing this series from the favored Phillies in 5 games.

Brewers 3-2

Dodgers vs. Cubs

Well I guess someone had to win the NL West. It appears the Diamondbacks didn't want to and just handed it to the Dodgers. While the Dodgers had an 18-5 record down the stretch, thanks to the hot bat of trad deadline acquisition Manny Ramirez, I think this is as far as they are going to come in this short series against the Cubbies. I want to be optimistic and say this will go 4 or possibly 5 games, but with the potent Cubs lineup and much better starting pitching (especially the power arms of Zambrano and Harden that you need in the playoffs) this series will most likely end up in a sweep.

Cubs 3-0

Introduction to the Man Behind the Rants

I just wanted to say hello, and welcome to the first installment of this highly acclaimed and world renowned blog to end all blogs. I apologize for not having a cool or witty last name that I can work into the title of my blog so you are stuck with this. On to the meat and potatoes of the post.

Public Transportation Etiquette

As a business traveler and frequent NYC public transportation user I cannot understand why some people just do not get the hint. When it comes to traveling with thousands of people on a daily basis, you have to be considerate of those people around you. Look, there are very few people out there that actually enjoy what they do for a living, so getting up in the morning to go to work should be as least stressful as possible. But some people out there make this almost impossible to do with their lack of care for others and only wanting to do what is convenient for themselves.

When traveling on the subway or bus with your significant other, not everyone one that bus or in that particular car of the subway wants to hear you kissing your g/f or b/f or seeing you be all over them in public. Get a life. You are going to see that person later on in the day, and I am sure you will call or text them a million times throughout the course of that same day anyway.

This brings me to my next point. While talking on your phone or even to the person sitting next to you on the subway, bus, LIRR, Metro-North, or whatever other mode of transit you are using, people do not want to hear your entire conversation. If you are like me most people just want to sit there, read their paper or book, do there crossword or Su Doku in peace before they have to get to work. We are not interested in your cousin's date she had last night (unless it was with me) or your recent trip to the Vegan grocery store by your downtown apartment. If it were up to me these offenders would kicked off the train and forced to be late for their own job that they are trying to get to because they refuse to allow other people to tolerate their own trip to work.